George v



' No. 608,932. Patented Aug. 9, I898.

G. V. TBOTT.

TELEGRAPHY.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1897.) (No Model.)

ll'irn" STATES GEORGE V. 'IItOTT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ELLA M. COZENS, OFSAME PLACE.

TELEGRAPHY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,932, dated August 9, 1898. Application filedAugust 13, 1897. Serial No. 648,184. (No model.)

- T ctZZ whom it may. concern.-

Be it known that'I, GEORGE V. Tnorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Stateof Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Telegraphy, (Case No. 2,) of which the following'is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to telegraph systems wherein telegraphic instruments may be employed upon moving vehicles to transmit and receive signals as effectively as these objects have heretofore been accomplished where the telegraph instruments were disposed at fixed points.

It has been attempted heretofore to telegraphfrom various trains by means of induction. The operativeness of telegraph systems in which induction is made use of depends upon the condition of the weather.

In my invention I employ complete circuits including the telegraph instruments in series with signaling-battery, so that signals may be transmitted from or to the moving vehicle, as a railway car or engine, to any distant point without relying upon induction. It is of great importance in railway service to have a reliable telegraph system by which communication may be established between an official upon a moving train and an operators station.

In any of the telegraph systems in use at the present time it is essential in order that the orders of the train-dispatcher be delivered to the engineer that the train stop or slow up. By means of my invention the train may be run at any speed desired and instructions communicated to the engineer from time to time as frequently asis necessary.

Generally speaking, my invention consists in a system of telegraphy having a set of telegraph instruments carried by a moving vehicle, as the locomotive drawing a train, a trolley contact m echanism connected with the telegraph instruments, trolley-conductors engaged by the trolley contact mechanism, and instruments at the various stations along the line of the road, which are connected or adapted to be connected in circuit with the aforesaid trolleyrconductors and trolley contact mechanism.

The preferred embodiment of my invention may be generally described as consisting in a pair of trolley-conductors formed, preferably, of iron and in the form of a half-cylinder, trolley- Wheels moving with the train, making contact with the trolley-conductors, telegraph instruments upon the train and at the stations along the track, said trolley-condoctors and trolley-wheels being included or adapted to be included in series with the telegraph instruments. I prefer to provide a plurality of trolley-wheels adapted to make contact with each trolley conductor, the wheels of each set beingconnected in multiple, whereby the continuity of the telegraphic circuit is insured and false signals obviated. By employing single wheels it is apparent that when for any reason the contact between thetrolley conductor and wheel is broken a false signal will be transmitted over the line.

I will explain my invention more particularly by reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a telegraph system equipped in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the trolley contact mechanism that I prefer to employ, together with the trolley-conductors between the rails of a track. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a trolley-conductor, showing the manner in which it is supported upon a crosstie. Fig. at is a side elevation of a trolley-conductor in position upon the cross-tie. Fig. 5 shows the preferred manner of uniting sections of the trolley-conductor to form a continuous conductor.

Like letters and figures indicate like parts in the different views.

In Fig. 1 I have illustratedthree stations 1 2 3, each having two sets of telegraph instruments a a, each set comprising a sounder a trolley-line switch a and an operators key a Switches 17 b are provided at each station, the switch-arms whereof carry conducting-strips c 0, adapted to make contact each with two contact-buttons. The switch-arms when they are disposed as herein shown normally occupy a vertical position, so that the telegraph-circuit dis normally completed from the ground d at station 1 to the ground 61 at station 3. I have shown only three stations; but this number may be increased as desired. When the switches are in this position, an ordinary telegraphic circuit is established between the stations. At each station in the main telegraph-line d is included a battery 6, sounder f, line-switch g, and an operators key it, the line, as illustrated, being of short length.

I have illustrated a double-track system, the rails it forming onetrack, while the rails k'form the companion track. Preferably between the rails I dispose the trolley-conductors U, the trolley-conductors being formed in sections which terminate at adjacent stations. The instruments 0. at each station are each connected across the insulated sections of the trolley-conductor, which are normally otherwise disconnected. The instruments or at each station are likewise connected with the insulated sections of the t olleyconductor between the rails 70 70.

A set of telegraph instruments comprising a sounder m, a trolley-switch m and operators key m is preferably disposed in the cab of a locomotive and may be attended to by the engineer or fireman, so that the engineer may receive his orders direct from the signal ing-stations. The trolley-conductors are included in circuit with the telegraph instru-' ments of the train, preferably, by trolleywheels. I preferably employ a plurality of trolley-wheels connected in multiple, riding upon each trolley-conductor,whereby the continuity of the telegraphic circuit 15 uninterrupted when any of said trolley-wheels leaves a trolley-conductor or when the trolleywheels cross an intersecting track or are passing from one pair of insulatedf,sections of trolley-conductors to another. he switches b b at the stations are adapted to control the association of the trolley-conductors between the rails 'i 2' with the main telegraph-line d, while switches b are adapted to control the association of the trolley-conductors between the rails 70 70 with the main telegraph-line.

Considering now the track cc mposed of the rails 2' 2', the instruments m a e normally in circuit with the instruments ,a and disconnected from the main telegra'jh-line (1 when the switches Z) occupy vertical positions, the lower insulated contact-plate '0, carried by the switch-arms, normally connecting the buttons 0 0 A. battery 0 is placed at each station. Assuming now that the train has reached a point between stations 2 and 3, the official upon the train may by manipulating the telegraph-key m operate the sounder a of the set of instruments ct at station 2. If the official upon the train desires communication with any station in the main telegraphline d, or if any distant station desires communication with the train and has previously notified the operator at station 2 to this effect, the operator by rotating the switch to from station 2 to the train may be traced from the battery 0 at said station through the switch a sounder a lower strip 0, the trolley contact mechanism, and trolley-conductors engaging the same, sounder m, and key m when depressed, said trolley contact mechanism and the last aforesaid sounder and key being located upon the vehicle. Circuit through the main telegraph-line (Z is closed independently of the trolley-conductors when the switches Z9 Z2 at all of the stations occupy vertical positions. With the switches in their vertical positions the main telegraph-circuit 01 may readily be traced from the ground d through the switch g, sounderf, and battery 6 at each station to the ground 61 In telegraphing from any station of course the switch 9 thereat is opened.

If a train should happen to be upon the companion track 7t 7t and in the same block between stations 2 and 3, the agent at station 3 by swinging the switch I) thereat to its horizontal position will place the sounders a a associated with switch 19 at station 3 and b at station 2, in series with the sounder m and the sounder upon the train on track 7c. The connection between the sounders upon trains of different tracks may readily be established irrespective of the sections of track upon which said trains may be, as will readily be apparent by an inspection of the diagram Fig. 1, the switchesb I) being properly manipulated at the different stations to bring about the desired connection.

If two trains happen to be upon different sections or blocks of the same track-as, for example, upon the section between stations 1 and 2 and upon the section between stations 2 and 3circuit connections may readily be established between the telegraph instruments upon the two trains. In the lastinstance cited connection may be established between the telegraph instruments upon the two trains by placing the switches Z) at stations 1 and 2 in horizontal positions, in which condition of the apparatus circuit may be traced from ground d, the upper contact-strip c of the switch I) at station 1, sounder f, the sectional trolley-conductors Z Z between stations 1 and 2, the trolley contact mechanism and telegraph instruments bridged in circuit between the same, battery 0, sounder a and battery e at station 1, the upper contact-strip c of switch I) at station 2, sounder f, left-hand contact-strip c of switch I) at station 2, the sections of trolley-conductors between stations 2 and 3, together with the contact mechanism and telegraph instruments upon the train bridged in circuit between said trolleyconductors, battery 0, sounder a and right-' hand contact-strip c of switch I) at station 2, from which contact-strip c the circuit may be readily traced to the ground (1 with the switches Z) Z) at station 3 in the positions shown.

In order that the official upon the moving train may be informed that the main track is switched into connection with a siding or with another track upon which trains may be running, I provide contacts q g, which are preferably actuated bythe switch-lever r as it is shifted, said contacts being adapted to electrically connect the sections of the trolley-conductors, whereby the batteries in circuit with the instruments C6 or a are short circuited. By this arrangement the official upon the train will know that the switch '1" has been thrown when the sounder m fails to operate upon the manipulation of the key m The trolley-wheels are preferably mounted as shown in Fig. 2, the wheels being linked to the timber s by arms 8 s. The central Wheels have horizontal extensions 3 to which horizontal extensions 3 carried by the end wheels, are linked. Cross-timbers unite the parallel sections .9 s and 3 .9 Each pair of trolley-wheels is thus independent of the others in its motion. The trolley-conductors are preferably mounted as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Each pair of sectional trolley-conductors disposed between stations constitutes a nor mally open trolley-circuit, which is closed or adapted to be closed at one end by the instruments at a station along the line of travel and elsewhere by-the trolley contact mechanism and instruments upon the traveling vehicle. A plurality of such normally open trolley-circuits is provided. The switching apparatus at the stations,upon proper manipulation, are adapted to connect instruments at different stations in series with the instrument upon the train or vehicle-and the trolley-conductors that happen to be connected with the telegraph instrument upon the vehicle through the agency of the trolley contact mechanism.

Braces having slanting members it are mounted upon the ties. The trolley-conductors are secured to the braces by bolts 6, which pass through insulating-blocks 25 The portions of each trolley conductor making a section are preferably united as is illustrated in Fig. 5.

It is obvious that changes maybe made from the precise embodiment of my invention herein shown and described, and I do not therefore desire to be limited to the precise arrangement and employment of parts herein shown and described; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a system of telegraphy, the combination with a main telegraph-line connecting the telegraph instruments at a plurality of telegraph-stations, a second set of instru ments at each telegraph-station, trolley-conductors in circuit with the second set of telegraph instruments at each station, a railwayvehicle, trolley contact mechanism carried thereby and engaging the trolley-conductors, a set of telegraph instruments carried upon the moving vehicle and adapted to be included in circuit with the telegraph instruments at the telegraph-stations through the medium of the trolley contact mechanism and trolley-conductors engaging the same, and a switch at each station adapted in one position to preserve independently the continuity of the main telegraph-line and the circuit including the trolley-conductors and the instruments connected therewith and in another position to include the main telegraph-line or a portion thereof with its instruments in series with the trolley-circuit and the instruments included therein, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a centrally-pivoted switch-arm, of contact-plates carried thereby upon each side of its pivot, two circuits, contacts forming terminals thereof which are adapted to be closed by the contact-plates carried by the switch when the switch occupies one position, whereby two independent circuits are completed, anda second set of contacts adapted when the switch occupies another position to engage the contactplates carried by the switch, whereby the independent circuits are opened and formed into one complete circuit, the conductors of each circuit being thereby included in series, substantially as described.

3. In a system of railway-telegraphy, the combination with a main telegraph-1ine,telegraph instruments at a plurality of telegraphstations connected or adapted to be connected by the telegraph-line, a second telegraph instrument at one telegraph-station, trolleyconductors connected or adapted to be connected with the said second telegraph instrument at one station, a railway-vehicle, trol- IIO ley contact mechanism carried thereby and engaging the trolley-conductors, a telegraph instrument upon the moving vehicle adapted to be connected with the trolley-conductors by g the trolley-conductors, the instrument upon the vehicle, the trolley contact mechanism upon the vehicle and the aforesaid second telegraph instrument at one station; and also for including the main telegraph-line with its instruments in series with the trolley-circuit, substantially as described.

4. In a system of railway-telegraphy, the

combination with a plurality of trolley-circuits arranged in succession along the line of travel, of a plurality of telegraph instruments located at stations, each of said trolley-circuits normally being or adapted to be connected with one of said instruments, a telegraph instrument carried by a vehicle, trolley contact mechanism carried by said vehicle adapted to connect the telegraph instrument upon the vehicle successively with the trolley-circuits and the telegraph instru ments at said stations, and suitable switching apparatus and circuit connections for temporarily connecting the telegraph instruments at said stations in series with each other and the telegraph instrument upon the vehicle, sub stantially as described.

5. In a system of railway-telegraphy, the combination with a trolley-circuit, of a telegraph instrument carried by a vehicle, trolley contact mechanism carried by said vehicle adapted to connect the said telegraph instrument with said trolley-circuit, a main telegraph-line connecting or adapted to connect the telegraph instruments at a plurality of telegraph-stations, and suitable switching apparatus and circuit connections adapted in one condition of use to complete circuit through said main telegraph-line and to exclude the telegraph instrument upon the Vehicle from circuit with the said main telegraph-line, and in another condition of use to connect the main telegraph-line with its telegraph instruments in series with the said trolley-circuit and the instrument upon the vehicle connected with said trolley-circuit, substantially as described.

6. In a system of railWay-telegraphy, the combination with a plurality of normally open trolley-circuits arranged in succession along the line of travel, of a plurality of telegraph instruments located at stations, each of said trolley-circuits being or adapted to be connected with one of said instruments, a telegraph instrument carried by a vehicle, trolley contact mechanism carried by said Vehicle adapted to connect the telegraph instrument upon the vehicle successively in the trolley-circuits and the telegraph instruments at said stations, a main telegraph-line connecting or adapted to connect the telegraph instruments at a plurality of telegraph-stations, and suit-able switching apparatus and circuit connections adapted in one condition of use to complete circuit through said main telegraph-line and to exclude the telegraph instrument upon the vehicle from circuit with the said main telegraph-line, and in another condition of use to connect the main telegraph-line with its telegraph instruments in series with the said trolley-circuit and the instrument upon the vehicle connected with said trolley-circuit,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day of August, A. D. 1897.

GEORGE V. TROTT.

WVitnesses:

ELLA M. Comm, J OHN W. SINCLAIR. 

